Nikon is buying digital cinema camera manufacturer RED.com LLC for an undisclosed amount. Founded in 2005 by Jim Jannard, who previously founded Oakley, famous for its sunglasses, RED gained a reputation as a non-traditional outlier in the professional camera business given its rapid rise amid more traditional camera makers like Sony, Panasonic, Canon or even Grass Valley (which had acquired Philips cameras when purchased by Thomson). The question over whether Nikon was planning on entering the professional digital cinema camera market is not new, speculation has been around for several years now.
DSLRs Go From Curiosities To Pro Tools
Digital single lens reflex cameras began as a way for wire service photogs to shoot video with the same camera they were using for still photos. Then TV stations began to use the small, lightweight and inexpensive units to produce on-air promos. Now, manufacturers including Canon, Blackmagic Design and Red are making DSLRs that are truly professional video cameras with bells and whistles that shooters love. KNSD’s Erik Naso (pictured) shoots with a Canon C100 and says he loves its depth of field: “It’s a film look to the extreme.”
Television Production Moves Forward In 4K
Shooting series in the new Ultra HD format is being tested, and so far it’s not proving to add time — or too much expense — to the process. Another major advantage: having a 4K master should pay dividends when the format becomes standard.
